Evonik introduces isodewaxing catalysts for lubricants and fuels.

Evonik Industries has introduced a new generation of high-performance isodewaxing catalysts aimed at improving the production efficiency and quality of fuels and lubricants.

The catalysts combine proprietary mesoporised zeolite technology from Zeopore with Evonik’s more than 75 years of experience in catalyst design and precious metal applications. According to the company, this integration enables refiners and renewable fuel producers to achieve higher yields of valuable products while enhancing fuel quality and overall process efficiency.

By optimising the pore structure of zeolites, the catalysts improve accessibility to active sites, enhance isomerisation, and minimise undesirable cracking reactions. This results in greater selectivity, reduced formation of light gases, and more efficient hydrogen utilisation. Collectively, these improvements contribute to lower carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and increased throughput, particularly when processing complex or renewable feedstocks.

Performance testing indicates that, in diesel dewaxing applications, the new catalysts can reduce product losses by up to five times compared to conventional alternatives, while maintaining higher activity. In base oil production, they also enable recovery of a significant portion of lubricant that would otherwise be lost during the dewaxing stage.

Evonik highlighted that its feedstock-agnostic mesoporisation approach ensures consistent performance across a broad range of hydrocarbon streams. This makes the catalysts particularly relevant for refiners expanding into low-carbon fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel.

The company considers zeolite mesoporisation a critical advancement in catalyst technology and has identified Zeopore as a key industrial-scale supplier of mesoporised dewaxing zeolites. Leveraging its global reach and catalyst development expertise, Evonik plans to integrate these materials into its next-generation catalyst offerings.

Michael Frey, Head of Product Line for Process Catalysts and Adsorbents at Evonik, stated that the new catalysts enhance yields, cold-flow properties, and carbon efficiency, aligning with the evolving requirements of the fuels and lubricants sector.

Kurt Du Mong, Chief Executive Officer of Zeopore, noted that the collaboration underscores the value of mesoporous zeolites in dewaxing applications and, through Evonik’s global platform, will help refiners produce higher-quality fuels while accelerating the adoption of commercially viable sustainable fuels.

Headquartered in Essen, Evonik operates in over 100 countries. In 2025, the company reported sales of EUR 14.1 billion (USD 16.6 billion) and adjusted EBITDA of EUR 1.9 billion (USD 2.24 billion), with a workforce of approximately 31,000 employees. Its Custom Solutions segment—which includes catalysts, lubricant additives, and specialty materials for coatings, adhesives, sealants, polyurethane foams, and personal care applications—generated EUR 5.4 billion (USD 6.36 billion) in sales, supported by around 9,500 employees.

The detailed article is published by https://www.chemengonline.com/ can be accessed from https://www.chemengonline.com/evonik-launches-new-isodewaxing-catalysts-for-fuel-and-lubricants/